when to say goodbye?
05-30-2009, 03:04 AM
#29
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05-30-2009, 05:39 AM
#33
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I spent 20yrs in the military, and they have a "policy" about replacing vehicles. They track the maintenance costs on the vehicle (actual maintenance, not "normal" service like oil changes, tires, etc) and get rid of it when the costs are equal to 75% of the purchase price.
It seems like a facts based and logical way to approach things, so I adapted it to my own vehicles. I track the maint. costs, and when it hits 75%... time to "trade 'er off".
Just my $.02 (which with inflation.... well, you figure it out)
It seems like a facts based and logical way to approach things, so I adapted it to my own vehicles. I track the maint. costs, and when it hits 75%... time to "trade 'er off".
Just my $.02 (which with inflation.... well, you figure it out)
05-30-2009, 08:08 AM
#34
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LOL, thanks all! I know dealers lie, but I believe that my 8 is probably the highest mileage 8 that this particular dealer services. There's no reason for this guy to steer me towards getting rid of the car when I take it there for service.
05-30-2009, 08:18 AM
#35
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Coming to a decision of whether or not to ditch your current vehicle is a tough one. A lot of it, in my opinion, comes down to the overall state of the vehicle, it's level of care and amount of use.
It's been my opinion that maintaining a vehicle can, and often is, less than a steady car payment. The average car payment in America right now I believe is $400 - $450 a month. That's about $4,800 a year in payments. IMO, if you're able to maintain your current vehicle for less money than that you're saving yourself cash.
Of course, if it's your daily driver you probably cannot afford to take off work to get things fixed at a moment's notice. Part of having a new car is the security that you can start that thing up every time without fail.
What is dangerous is getting into a position where a major expense occurs. Electrical problems, a motor rebuild, or other parts breaking like the transmission can seriously set you back. I, myself, am considering (though it would be at least a year out) doing a motor rebuild even though the motor is fine for that sense of "security" so @ 81,000 miles I share some of your concern.
I've always believed in owning cars for a long time. I'm almost 27 years old and counting my RX8 I've owned 2 cars. You do the math.
It's been my opinion that maintaining a vehicle can, and often is, less than a steady car payment. The average car payment in America right now I believe is $400 - $450 a month. That's about $4,800 a year in payments. IMO, if you're able to maintain your current vehicle for less money than that you're saving yourself cash.
Of course, if it's your daily driver you probably cannot afford to take off work to get things fixed at a moment's notice. Part of having a new car is the security that you can start that thing up every time without fail.
What is dangerous is getting into a position where a major expense occurs. Electrical problems, a motor rebuild, or other parts breaking like the transmission can seriously set you back. I, myself, am considering (though it would be at least a year out) doing a motor rebuild even though the motor is fine for that sense of "security" so @ 81,000 miles I share some of your concern.
I've always believed in owning cars for a long time. I'm almost 27 years old and counting my RX8 I've owned 2 cars. You do the math.
05-30-2009, 08:32 AM
#36
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Thank you, Flashwing. I really appreciate your perspective. I have had four cars total and I'm almost 40. I have kept my cars an average of six years each, and I will have had this car six years in August. Because of the amount of miles I put on a car in a year, it's hard for me to keep them for much longer than that.
After sleeping on it, I think my best course of action is to keep my eyes open for a great deal on the 'perfect' Miata. If it doesn't present itself, then I'm happy keeping my 8. I'm in the catbird's seat at the moment. Maybe I can take advantage of the current economy and get a "steal". LOL If not, I haven't lost anything and I still have an awesome car.
After sleeping on it, I think my best course of action is to keep my eyes open for a great deal on the 'perfect' Miata. If it doesn't present itself, then I'm happy keeping my 8. I'm in the catbird's seat at the moment. Maybe I can take advantage of the current economy and get a "steal". LOL If not, I haven't lost anything and I still have an awesome car.
05-30-2009, 10:20 PM
#38
Actually, the fact you've got as many miles as you do w/out any problems means you got a keeper.
Change all the belts and hoses, change out fluids, and keep that baby.
I would.
Change all the belts and hoses, change out fluids, and keep that baby.
I would.
05-31-2009, 08:30 AM
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Thanks RotoRocket.
Anyone know how reliable Black Book values are? Is this what dealers use to assess trade in value? My car shows up as $4975-7115 Black Book value.
Anyone know how reliable Black Book values are? Is this what dealers use to assess trade in value? My car shows up as $4975-7115 Black Book value.
05-31-2009, 08:57 AM
#41
You can buy a brand new engine for about 5K, a good reman about 3K (plus shipping of course)
its not really that hard to install it yourself, if you have the engine hoist and stuff. just takes a lot of time.
but if u're thinking of dumping it ... then just sell it.
I know Im keeping mine till the world ends.
its not really that hard to install it yourself, if you have the engine hoist and stuff. just takes a lot of time.
but if u're thinking of dumping it ... then just sell it.
I know Im keeping mine till the world ends.
05-31-2009, 12:48 PM
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take about 2 grand off of the wholesale price. Thats a realistic price on what the dealer will give you. No dealer will keep that on its lot, it will immediately be wholesaled out. The dealer will give you about 2 grand less than wholesale to cover any repair expenses he may have to do and in to insure that he makes a nice profit.
05-31-2009, 01:29 PM
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Ouch. Well, I'm actually kind of interested now to see how much it's worth. If it is really only worth $3000 or something as a trade, that would affect my decision. I could sell it outright, but that's a hassle and then you have to time it right with getting the new car. I'm not bothering with that.
05-31-2009, 05:23 PM
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Well, the rx-8, and any other car that came out in 04, hasn't been out long enough to fully see the true life of this engine. Since many things have been fixed since 04, it's pretty damn reliable. Seriously, if it's already at this mileage, I say keep it. Or sell it to me for 4.5k I will happily buy it!
This car is a keeper, and don't tell me it doesn't give you a smile everytime your redline the car, cause it does for me
I will happily buy it!This car is a keeper, and don't tell me it doesn't give you a smile everytime your redline the car, cause it does for me
05-31-2009, 05:42 PM
#47
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Oh, I smile every day I drive it, shazy!
It's a manual transmission. I have done nothing but regular maintenance except for a couple CEL's and a couple fuel induction services. One CEL was for a failed rear 02 sensor heater. The other was a P2070 (secondary shutter valve stuck open). They did the fuel induction for that, I think.
The only issue that's nagging me right now is the A/C doesn't want to work. The temp dial doesn't work right and I have to fiddle with the controls to make it blow cold air sometimes. So far, I've eventually gotten it to work when I need it, so I haven't bothered to get it repaired.
I've averaged 22.74 mpg over the life of the car. I drive 80% highway miles. And I do redline it every day.
It's a manual transmission. I have done nothing but regular maintenance except for a couple CEL's and a couple fuel induction services. One CEL was for a failed rear 02 sensor heater. The other was a P2070 (secondary shutter valve stuck open). They did the fuel induction for that, I think.
The only issue that's nagging me right now is the A/C doesn't want to work. The temp dial doesn't work right and I have to fiddle with the controls to make it blow cold air sometimes. So far, I've eventually gotten it to work when I need it, so I haven't bothered to get it repaired.
I've averaged 22.74 mpg over the life of the car. I drive 80% highway miles. And I do redline it every day.
05-31-2009, 07:11 PM
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I would keep it if you think you will be happy with keeping it and driving it 5 or 6 or more years from now. If two years from now you want the new shiny model of "insert car here" then I would suggest you go ahead and sell it relatively soon.
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Last edited by dmorales; 09-09-2011 at 03:35 AM.